Homicide investigation and arrest

On Saturday, February 11, 2017 approximately 8:44 p.m., the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a female stating a subject had a gun at a residence on Crystal Lane, in the Rocky Creek Community and then disconnected. Deputies responded and upon arrival could not locate anyone. Neighbors told deputies that car doors were heard slamming and a vehicle leaving the residence. The deputy departed the residence with no contact with the homeowner.

Later the deputy was able to make contact by phone with a male subject who had ties to the female at that residence. Based on that conversation, the deputy responded back to the residence to continue to contact the homeowner. The deputy found two females deceased inside the residence from gunshot wounds. The scene was secured and investigators were called to respond.

Very quickly, investigators identified the suspect as the same person the deputy had previously talked to. A BOLO was sent out nationwide for the suspect and his vehicle and contact was also made with the Bay County Sheriff’s Office due to the suspect living in the Fountain area.

Just prior to 2:00 a.m., an investigator notified deputies at the scene that a truck matching the suspects’ vehicle description was traveling towards the scene. Shortly after, the truck in question pulled into the area of the crime scene and told deputies he was who they were looking for that he had done the shooting. The suspect was ordered to show his hands at which time he displayed a firearm. The suspect did not comply with deputies commands to drop the firearm and was shot by a deputy. The suspect was taken into custody and first aid was rendered until EMS arrived.

The suspect was transported to an Alabama Hospital and later released into the custody of Sheriff’s Deputies. Lodged in the Jackson County Correctional Facility is William Hawk, age 75, from Fountain, Florida, on 2 Open Counts of Murder and Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer.

The identity of the two victims is not being released pending notification of next of kin.

The deputy has been placed on administrative leave, which is normal procedure in an officer involved shooting. The Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Crime Lab, the State Attorney’s Office, the Medical Examiner’s Office are investigating the Homicide. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement are investigating the officer involved shooting.

Sheriff Roberts would like to thank the above mentioned agencies, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Houston County Alabama Sheriff’s Office for their assistance.